Temple Bar was originally constructed in 1650 to define the boundary between the City of London and the City of Westminster. The Corporation of London has re-sited the gates to form a new entrance to Paternoster Square in the City.

In a delicate operation that took 72 weeks, the gateway was dismantled, stone by stone, and rebuilt at the newly redeveloped Paternoster Square opposite St Paul's Cathedral. Four original statues depicting monarchs were re-instated following conservation and repair.